While shopping at Mandela Foods, a local worker owned grocery co-op in Oakland (and a subject of our next episode), we ran into Noni Session, a local politician running for City Council, and who happened to have worker owned co-ops on her platform.

Noni Session is an anthropologist, activist and organizer. She breaks the issues down with such clear goals and solutions in mind that you can’t help but leave the episode feeling like change is actually happening.

Episode 1 - Noni Session

As many of us come together this Thursday for what some now call the National Day of Mourning, Synergy Airwaves talks to Adrionna Fike, co-owner of Mandela Foods Cooperative, a local grocer in West Oakland. Since cooking is on the minds of many as the holidays approach, we wanted to tempt your palate with some food for thought.

Adrionna is a devoted cooperation leader and supports building a conscious and active movement not just in West Oakland, but in cities everywhere. In the wake of an unfathomably fascist u.s. Presidential election, Adrionna offers us important proof that the movements for racial, food and economic justice are alive and well. Beyond the election, u.s. colonization has continued to impact lives from Standing Rock to Ferguson to Oakland, and it’s for that reason we are especially excited to lift you up with this conversation about doing things a better way.

Episode 2 - Adrionna Fike of Mandela Foods Cooperative

In this episode, we talk with Hnin Hnin, Co-Director of CoFED, an organization working to address food sovereignty issues on college campuses. At the time of this recording, we were still in a bit of shock from the recent Presidential election, but the conversation is a lifting one in terms of centering what is most important; direct solutions.

Hnin engages us with conversations about the history and reach of CoFED’s growing network, the struggles of students to eat and afford quality food, and the importance of joining together to achieve a common goal. Food Sovereignty is about the rights of all people to healthy and culturally appropriate food including the right to define their own food system. Food sovereignty also means that the food is produced using sustainable methods and with care for the earth.

Food Inequity on College Campuses is a real struggle for many students trying to get a degree today. Though many food banks are popping up once the problem is onset, collectives and co-ops such as those in the CoFED network provide students the opportunity to have autonomy and sovereignty when aiming to solve issues of food inequity within their own community.  

Show music:
“Sweet Drank” by Tori Roze and the Hot Mess

Episode 3 - Hnin Hnin of CoFED

MD and I visit the Groundswell Institute, an ecovillage and lgbtqi retreat center in Yorkville, CA - just two hours north of San Francisco. We interview Kyle Devries, director of the institute and DoubleSnake, one of the founding members and facilitator of the Queer Forestry camp.

Episode 4 - Kyle DeVries and DoubleSnake of the Groundswell Institute

Synergy Airwaves is a podcast for those curious about finding a better way. Together.
With fellow cooperators, educators, activists, artists and those wondering about any and all, we’ll discuss everyday experiences and issues from those on the quest for justice. We’ll also look into the many diverse yet connected ways we work towards it.  It's about to get a little more lovely for social change on Soundcloud and we're excited to take you with us!

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